Gas holder



' March 22, 1927.

G. T. HORTON GAS HOLDER Filed Nov. '7, 1925 3 Shuts-Sheet 1 6607596 j/w z w a/ March 22,1927.

- 1,621,984 G. T. HORTON v *GAS HOLDER Filed Nov. 7, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 epr 6 .27 07" 072'," (y y G. T. HORTON March 22, 1927.

'- GAS HOLDER Filed Nov. '7, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Gewye 07?,

Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATEfi GEORGE '1. HORTON, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS.

GAS HOLDER.

Application filed November This invention relates to improvements in gas holders and more especially to such a device adapted for use in storing relatively large quantities of gas. My improved gas holder may take the place of the telescoping water-sealed gas holders now commonly used by gas companies.

My improved gas holder has no moving parts and is not, therefore, an operating machine. It can be used in practically any case where gas is utilized under pressure. Its use offers a most practicable solution to the problems of heating seals and the discoloration of paint by lmmersion in water. No water seals are necessary and no part of the holder is telescoped into Water.

My improved storage gas holder requires smaller foundations than ordinary holders of like capacity; the cost of this item being cut approximately in half.

The simple, smooth surface of my im-v proved gas holder is easier to paint and contains so much less surface per unit of capacity than lift holders that it can be painted at a cost of from one fifth to one third the ordinary cost. Besides this, it can be painted attractive colors, which harmonize with the surrounding scenery, without fear of discoloration. In fact, my improved gas holder when properly painted, or landscaped, will be a thing of public interest and an object of beauty. It can also be utilized to attract attention and thus aid publicity.

My improved gas holder can be used advantageously in cold climates because there are no water seals to freeze. Because the water seals do not have to be keptfrom freezing, a heating system, and the duties of an attendant to take care of the same are dispensed with},

My improved gas holder may be made with a relatively large capacity. For example, the one shown in this application is designed with a diameter of-subst' ntially fifty-seven feet.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with m specification.

In t at form of device embodying the features of my invention and shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1.is a view in side elevation of a gas holder; Fig. 2, is a horizontal sectional view looking down; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the foundations; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on an en- -of the shell 10.

7, 1925. Serial No. 67,547.

manner at their edges and are here shown as having overlappingedges, the joints being made tight in any suitable manner, as for example, by welding, riveting, or the like.

The shell 10 is entirely supported by twenty-one supporting legs set on the concrete piers or foundations 17. The shell has no other support. In Fig. 1, 50 indicates merely a pit or depression in the ground he neath the'gas holder for the purpose of giving easier access to the under surface thereof. 18 indicates the supporting legs (see Figs. i and 5). Each of these legs comprises a substantially rectangular piece of sheet metal having its upper edge 18 bent upwardly at an angle of substantially 45 and curve-l to conform to the shape of the outer surface The. edge or flange 18 is fastened to the shell by means of the rivets 19. The lower edge of the leg 18 is fastened by means of the rivets 20 between the vertical edges 21 of two adjacent angle irons, having their horizontal flanges 122 resting on the post or foundation 17. Each supporting leg 18 is provided with two stiffening members 123 comprising vertically arranged plates set at right angles to the members 18 and secured thereto in any suitable manner as, for example, by welding. The upper end of the stiifening member 1123 is likewise secured to the flange 18 and the lower end thereof to the horizontal flange 122 of the angle iron on that side.

The supporting legs are attached to the shell on a circle having somewhat'less than two-thirds the diameter of a great circle.

Inside of the shell above each leg is arranged a stiffening member 22 comprising a substantially rectangular-1y arranged sheet of metal set on edge directly above the leg. The outer edge of this stiffening member 22 is attached to the shell 10 by means of the angle irons 23 as shown; and its inner edge also has attached to it on each side an angle iron 24 to assist in stiffening it.

The method of supportlng the shell on the a tank, it is obvious that the pressure on' different points in the tank varies attachment is elirnlnated.

supporting legs and the location of their attachment to the shell is an important feature of the invention. In making a gas holder ofthis size spherical in shape, many diffioulties are'encountered in properly supporting it, making it of the proper strength and the like, These difiiculties have all been overcome in my improved gas holder. The problems encountered in supporting a gas holder are entirely different from those met in supporting a spherical tank adapted to hold a liquid such as water or oil. In such greatly witlr the difference in head of the liquid contained therein. In a gas holder, however, the weight of the gas is practically negligible. For this reason, and because of other diiferences in construction between a liquid tank and a gas holder, it has been found that in a gas holder the supporting legs may be located much farther in. For example, they may join the shell on a circle having a diameter of substantially two-thirds of the diameter of a great circle, or even less. By thus supporting the gas holder, it is held rigid and firm and is'not subjected to any undue stresses or strains. Moreover, by bringing the supporting legs in, in this man ner, it is obvious that there is a. great saving in material since the supporting pieces may be much shorter. The construction is also simpler, and besides this, there 1s a great saving in the'size and number of foundations required. It is obvious also, that very much less ground space is required for the gas holder than. if the legs were moved out on a larger circle.

The stili'ening members 22 above the legs are also important features of construction. By their use, the legs may be placed quite far in as shown and all danger of the shell buckling or being pressed in at the point of lVhile I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement ma be made without departing from the spir1t and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim -legs restingv on foundations and attached at their upper ends to the shell onthe line of a circle lying in a horizontal plane and having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of a greatcircle of said shell; and stiffening members inside of said shell lying above said legs, each of said stiffening members comprismg a substantially rectangular fiat piece of material set on edge at its outer edge curved to conform to the curvature of the shell and attached thereto, and its inner edge provided with a stiffening member.

2. A gas holder .comprising a spherical shell substantially supported by. supporting legs resting on foundations and attached at their upper ends to the shell on the line of a circle lying in a horizontal plane and having a diameter substantially less than the diameter'of a great circle of said shell; and radially arranged stiffening members inside of said shell ly-ing above said legs, each of said stiffening'members comprising a substantially rectangular flat piece of material set on edge at its outer edge curved to conform to the curvature of the shell and attached thereto, and its inner edge provided with a stiffening member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of November, 1925.

Y GEORGE T. HORTON. 

